The language we use to ourselves and others about having and pursuing creative talents can have a big impact on our attitudes and motivation.

For all too many years, I have been self-critical about focusing on creative interests instead of, for example, socializing. Choices like that generally aren’t simply right or wrong, but it may be helpful to consider the consequences.

Creativity coach Eric Maisel, PhD thinks obsession is a more or less necessary element of creative achievement – at least the healthy variety of obsession.

He says, “Negative obsessions are a true negative for everyone, but most creators — and all would-be creators — simply aren’t obsessed enough. For an artist, the absence of positive obsessions leads to long periods of blockage, repetitive work that bores the artist himself, and existential ailments of all sorts.”

“Perseverance is a key part of it,” says Robert Root-Bernstein of Michigan State University.

“Many of them say that their expectations were warped by their early experiences.” The article notes, “When success comes too easily, prodigies are ill prepared for what happens when the adoration goes away, their competitors start to catch up and the going gets rough.”

(He is co-author with Michele Root-Bernstein of Sparks of Genius: The Thirteen Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People.

There can be a lesson here for any of us, not just prodigies.

Indiana University psychologist Jonathan Plucker notes, “I don’t see anyone teaching these kids about task commitment, about perseverance in the face of social pressures, about how to handle criticism.

“We say, ‘Boy, you’re really talented.’ We don’t say, ‘Yeah, but you’re still going to have to put in those 60-hour work weeks before you can make major contributions to your field.’”

Creative achievement – especially the sort that gets mentioned in books and the media – has often been considered something special, that only a “genius” can do. I have often felt held back in writing, such as this book, by self-limiting ideas related to how I identify myself and my writing talents.

Professor of psychology R. Keith Sawyer, among others, disputes that idea. He was asked, “What advice can you give us nongeniuses to help us be more creative?”

His answer: “Take risks, and expect to make lots of mistakes, because creativity is a numbers game. Work hard, and take frequent breaks, but stay with it over time. Do what you love, because creative breakthroughs take years of hard work. Develop a network of colleagues, and schedule time for freewheeling, unstructured discussions.”

He added, “Most of all, forget those romantic myths that creativity is all about being artsy and gifted and not about hard work. They discourage us because we’re waiting for that one full-blown moment of inspiration. And while we’re waiting, we may never start working on what we might someday create.”

In a New York Times op-ed, David Brooks pointed out that Mozart’s early compositions “were nothing special. They were pastiches of other people’s work.” He added, “Mozart was a good musician at an early age, but he would not stand out among today’s top child-performers.

“What Mozart had, we now believe, was the same thing Tiger Woods had — the ability to focus for long periods of time and a father intent on improving his skills.”

Brainstorm: Harnessing the Power of Productive Obsessions by Eric Maisel, PhD and Ann Maisel“Elegantly combines the most inspiring elements of mindfulness, engagement, focus, and flow. Eric Maisel shows you how to be more productive by turning obsessions into positive passions.” – Susan K. Perry, Writing in Flow

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This photo is Adam Savage (of “Mythbusters”) from the video – about his passion for making a replica Dodo skeleton.

He relates how he collected thousands of images and documents, and crafted a beautiful museum-quality mounted skeleton of the defunct bird.

Another example of creative obsession was director Stanley Kubrick, who once had a photographer take pictures of every single building on a road in London, so he could lay them side-by-side in his living room.

But Anderson’s – and other artists’ – obsessive attention to detail extends to live action projects, such as “The Grand Budapest Hotel.”

Ralph Fiennes – who plays the main character M. Gustave in the movie – commented about Anderson:

“He’s probably the most prepared director. He has these storyboards, very beautifully drawn, detailed and slightly animated. So, in a way, he’s kind of made the film, as it were, on the drawing board.” He also compares him to a music conductor who “knows precisely, musically, the nuances he wants.”[contactmusic.com]

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Perfectionism

Pablo Casals and pursuing perfectionism – quotes in article include:
* Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D.: “Would I have chosen a life without perfectionism had I known what I would gain by struggling through it, the growth that would take place alongside the real emotional pain? Absolutely not.”
* Renita Kalhorn: “Is it possible that the eternal pursuit of perfection could actually spell eternal dissatisfaction?”* “Avatar” director James Cameron retorted about being called a perfectionist: “No, I’m a greatist. I only want to do it until it’s great.”

Creative Obsession – “The refusal to rest content, the willingness to risk excess on behalf of one’s obsessions, is what distinguishes artists from entertainers, and what makes some artists adventurers on behalf of us all.” John Updike, about J. D. Salinger.

Perfectionism articles [on my High Ability site]
Two of many article titles:
Striving for excellence: “Perfectionism has taken a bum rap.”
Ashley Judd: “If I engage in perfectionism, I am abusing myself.”

About Douglas Eby

Douglas Eby (M.A./Psychology) is author of the Talent Development Resources series of sites including High Ability; Highly Sensitive and Creative; The Creative Mind and others - which provide "Information and inspiration to enhance creativity and personal development." Also see Résumé.

Developing Multiple Talents: The personal side of creative expressionby Douglas Eby
"One of many reviews: "Part book about creativity, part compendium of useful tidbits, quotations and research, and part annotated bibliography, this is a wildly useful and highly entertaining resource." - Stephanie S. Tolan, fiction writer and consultant on the needs of the gifted. -- See About the book for more.